SAVANNAH Marshall was left feeling aggrieved after a razor-thin split decision, facilitated by three American judges, swung in favour of Shadasia Green last Friday.
Their super-middleweight encounter featured on the undercard of Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3, adding a degree of controversy to the event at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Beforehand, the experience and proven skill set of Marshall, 13-2 (10 KOs), had made her a sizable favourite, with Green, 16-1 (11 KOs), representing a bold but calculated risk on her Most Valuable Promotions debut.
Yet despite that, it was Green who came away with the IBF and WBO world titles, announcing herself on the big stage after losing to Franchon Crews Dezurn – who Marshall comfortably outpointed – back in 2023.
The American even put her opponent on unsteady legs in the fifth round, while Marshall, in fairness, had enjoyed a sustained spell of success in the early frames.
But nevertheless, Green, who was eventually docked a point for excessive clinching, had convinced two of the three judges that she deserved to emerge victorious.
Marshall, on the other hand, remains convinced that, with all three officials belonging to the same nation as her opponent, getting the rub of the green was always going to be a tall order.
“This was the point in the fighters’ meeting [official rules meeting] the day before – that there were three American judges,” the 34-year-old told Sky Sports.
“My manager [Mick Hennessy] brought it up and was told, ‘don’t worry, there will be no controversy,’ and yet one judge gave me two rounds out of the full 10.
“If you’re going to stuff me, at least be more discreet about it than that.”
Regarding the next steps, it would appear that an immediate rematch with Green remains at the top of Marshall’s wish list for the rest of this year.
At the same time, though, a second encounter with Claressa Shields, who comprehensively outpointed her in 2022, represents another appealing option.
Marshall added: “In the case of boxing, where do I really go if Shadasia doesn’t give me the rematch, [and] if Claressa doesn’t give me the rematch?
“I’m hoping I get that rematch [with Green] – on neutral ground, shall we say?”
Indeed, a rematch with Green seems the more likely fight, especially given that Shields is gearing up to defend her world heavyweight titles against Lani Daniels on July 26.
